Removal of the fallopian tubes

If a pelvic inflammatory disease goes untreated, the fallopian tubes can be damaged. Infections caused by chlamydia often lead to changes in the fallopian tubes. Likewise, endometriosis can irritate tissue and cause adhesions around the fallopian tubes.

If the fallopian tubes have been damaged, there’s an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the uterus, or in worst case infertility.

If there are severe adhesions in the fallopian tubes, or if there’s a build-up of fluid in them, we recommend that you have your fallopian tubes removed.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes or adhesions in the tubes are:

Pelvic pains

Infertility

Treatment

A removal of the fallopian tubes is performed through keyhole surgery of your pelvis (laparoscopy).

In case of severe adhesions that prevent a pregnancy from happening, or swollen, fluid-filled tubes that cause a lot of pain, we recommend removal of your fallopian tubes. This means that your only chance of getting pregnant is by means of artificial insemination IVF.

Below you can read more about what happens during the operation.

Before the operation

You’ll have general anaesthetic for the removal of your fallopian tubes, and you’ll usually be able to go home later the same day. But because there may be some side-effects of the anaesthetic, you must have somebody to come and pick you up at the clinic and stay with you for the next 24 hours.

Before the procedure, it’s important that you tell the specialist about any drugs or medicine you take, because some of them may be dangerous in combination with the anaesthetic.

Fasting:

You are not allowed to eat anything during the last 6 hours before your operation.

You are allowed to drink water and juice until 2 hours before your operation.

The operation

The operation takes 1-2 hours. We’ll put an IV line in the back of your hand and give you the anaesthetic through it. The operation is performed with a thin tube containing a microscope (laparoscope). To get a better view, your abdomen will be expanded with carbon dioxide (CO2). We’ll also make another 1-2 tiny holes in your abdomen to insert additional instruments. And then we remove your fallopian tubes.

After the operation

You should take it easy for the rest of the day after the operation. The next day, our nurse will call you at home to check that you’re OK.

Post-operative checkup

Once the keyhole surgery is over, we close the incisions with soluble thread inside and special tape on your skin. This means that you don’t have to have the threads removed. But you should come in for a checkup 1 month after the operation.

Good to know

Pain: It’s normal to experience some pain after the operation. Your tummy may also feel bloated, and occasionally there’ll be pain in the right shoulder. However, the pain and discomfort should pass in a day or two.

Hygiene: You can take a shower after 24 hours. Take off any bandages first, and afterwards gently dab the wounds with a towel. The wounds heal better if they are left unbandaged. But if there’s a bit of oozing from the wounds, you should put on a clean bandage.

Activity: Following the keyhole operation, you should be off sick for 1-2 weeks. There’re no special restrictions on lifting or activity after the operation. But you should never push yourself beyond your pain threshold.

Side-effects and complications

If you experience strong pain, a fever or any other symptoms of infection, you must contact the clinic at +45 8612 6121 or +45 2320 4221.